The Big Mermaid
- Discover the joy of moving your body in the water.
- Develop confidence and strength that transfers from the water to land.
- Progress faster with expert one-on-one coaching for beginner to intermediate swimmers.
- Receive the type of information and motivation you need to actually get yourself to the pool.
What’s Different About The Big Mermaid?
Hi! I’m Coach Heather, founder of The Big Mermaid. My goal is to help Edmontonians experience joy, comfort, and confidence moving their bodies in the water—no matter what their bodies look like or how they function.
I’ve spent decades teaching and coaching swimming and other subjects both here in Edmonton and internationally. I also have a PhD in sport psychology from the University of Alberta and expertise in adult learning and motivation.
As a woman with ADHD, I know learning new skills and building consistent routines can feel really hard sometimes (or all the time!) That’s why I offer a range of thoughtful services and compassionate support designed to transform your relationship to the water—and yourself.
Services
Select a service for details and pricing. Please note that facility admission fees are not included in these prices. If you have a membership to the pool, you can scan your card for entry. If you don’t have a membership, you can pay the drop-in rate or purchase a multi-visit pass (this typically works out to $8–$13 per visit).
Get Me to the Pool
Your personalized guide to starting a swimming routine.
Hold My Hand
A set of gentle beginner lessons with me in the water right beside you.
Stand By Me
A set of lessons for intermediate swimmers to develop your stroke technique.
Fix My Stroke
A single session to focus on one specific stroke or skill.
Kick My Butt
Structured workout sessions for regular (or formerly regular) swimmers.
Tune Up My Turn
Build a fast flipturn from scratch (or take your current turn apart and make it better!)
Contact Info
If you’re ready to book or you have questions that aren’t answered here, please reach out!
Name: Heather Larson (she/her)
Email: swim@thebigmermaid.ca
Phone: 780-200-4984
Location: I operate out of five City of Edmonton facilities: Kinsmen, Peter Hemingway, Commonwealth, Eastglen, and Bonnie Doon.
Land Acknowledgement
At the age of 17, my maternal grandmother jumped into the Elbe River to escape from Russian soldiers, who continued shooting at her as she swam to a boat. Two years later, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean to come to Canada and make her new home in a place she often referred to as “the best country in the world.”
Although she did not have an easy life, she and my grandfather (and their descendents, including myself) benefited from policies that favoured white European immigrants over Black and Asian immigrants, and sought to erase Indigenous Peoples and cultures from the land.
Today, I acknowledge that I live, work, and swim on Treaty 6 territory, which encompasses the territories and home of numerous Indigenous peoples, including Nehiyawak (Cree), Tsuut'ina, Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), Métis, Dene Suliné, Îyârhe Nakodabi (Nakota Sioux), Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy), Nahkawininiwak (Saulteaux), Anishinabemowin (Ojibwe) and Inuit.
I acknowledge my responsibility to contribute to reconciliation efforts with ongoing thoughtfulness, compassion, and intention to ensure current and future generations of people who live on this land may do so prosperously and with dignity. As a small offering of goodwill, 5% of all proceeds of this business will be donated to the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society.